KR20220073853A - Responder device, communication method and integrated circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The initiator device 102 supports a SU (Single User)-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) operation, indicating which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. A generating circuit (810) for generating a first signal (602, 652) including a value is provided, and a transmitting circuit (820) for transmitting the first signal (602, 652) to a responder device (104). The responder device 104 includes a receiving circuit 820 that receives the first signals 602 and 652 from the initiator device 102, and based on the values, a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase. and processing circuitry (830) for determining which of the SU-MIMO BF training is applied.

Description

RESPONDER DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

The present disclosure relates to an initiator device, a responder device, and a system.

Interest in unlicensed 60 GHz Millimeter Wave (mmW) networks is growing. WirelessHD technology is the first 60 GHz mmW industry standard to enable multi-gigabit wireless streaming of high-definition audio, video and data between home electronics, personal computers and portable products. Another multi-gigabit wireless communication technology that operates via the 60 GHz mmW frequency band is the WiGig technology, standardized by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) as an IEEE 802.11 ad standard. Using a wide channel bandwidth of 2.16 GHz, WiGig technology can realize PHY (Physical Layer) data transfer rates of up to 6.7 Gbps (gigabit/sec). The IEEE 802.11 working group is developing the 802.11 ay wireless interface as a next-generation WiGig technology with the ability to support PHY data rates faster than 100 Gbps. A single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technique in which a plurality of spatial streams are simultaneously transmitted via a plurality of spatial paths is one of the main techniques for 802.11 ay.

Unlike other IEEE 802.11 technologies that operate over the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency bands, 802.11 ay uses BeamForming (BF) widely to achieve directional transmission. In the 60 GHz mmW frequency band, since the signal wavelength is relatively small compared to the normal size of an object in a radio wave environment, radio waves spread Signal quality, for example, SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), is determined when both a TX (transmit) antenna beam and an RX (receive) antenna beam match a strong spatial signal path. In time, it can be greatly improved.

IEEE 802.11-17/1041r0, CR on SU-MIMO & MU-MIMO BF training and feedback, July 2017 IEEE 802.11-16/1620r2, 3.1.4 MIMO Channel Access, January 2017 IEEE 802.11-17/1184r2, MU-MIMO BF Selection, August 2017 IEEE Std 802.11TM-2016, Section 10.38 beamforming, December 2016

To implement efficient BF training for SU-MIMO operation, research is ongoing.

An initiator device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an initiator device that supports a single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation, and a reciprocal (Reciprocal) MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal (Non) -Reciprocal, non-reflection) a generating circuit for generating a first signal including a value indicating which of the MIMO phases is applied to SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training, and transmitting the first signal to a responder device A configuration including a transmission circuit is taken.

A responder device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a responder device that supports a single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation, and any of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is SU - a receiving circuit for receiving from an initiator device a first signal including a value indicating whether MIMO BF (BeamForming) training is applied, and based on the value, which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase It takes a configuration having a processing circuit that determines whether SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training is applied.

A system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an initiator device and a responder device supporting a single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation, wherein the initiator device includes a reciprocal MIMO phase and a nonreciprocal a generating circuit for generating a first signal including a value indicating which of the procal MIMO phases is applied to SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training; and a transmitting circuit for transmitting the first signal to a responder device. and the responder device includes a receiving circuit for receiving the first signal from the initiator device, and based on the value, any of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is used for SU-MIMO BF training. and having processing circuitry for determining whether to apply.

In addition, these generic or specific forms may be realized as a system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, and may be implemented in any combination of the system, apparatus, method, integrated circuit, computer program and recording medium. may be realized.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to realize efficient BF training for SU-MIMO operation.

The further advantage and effect in one aspect of this indication becomes clear from a specification and drawing. Such advantages and/or effects are each provided by the features described in several embodiments and in the specification and drawings, but not necessarily all of them to obtain one or more of the same features.

1 is a diagram illustrating SU-MIMO operation in a wireless system.
2 is a diagram illustrating a non-reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training.
3A is a schematic configuration diagram of an STA (Station) according to the present disclosure.
3B is a detailed configuration diagram of an STA according to the present disclosure.
4 is a diagram showing an example of the format of the action field of the MIMO BF setup frame according to the first embodiment.
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of a MIMO setup control element according to the first embodiment.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of an EDMG (Enhanced Directional Multi-Gigabit) BRP (Beam Refinement Protocol) packet according to the first embodiment.
7 is a diagram illustrating a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the digital BF procedure according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 8B is a diagram showing another example of the digital BF procedure according to the first embodiment.
9 is a diagram illustrating SU-MIMO channel access after SU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment.
10 is a diagram illustrating a downlink MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training according to Embodiment 1;
11 is a diagram illustrating an uplink MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 12 is a flow chart for setting the information field of the MIMO setup control element according to the first embodiment.
Fig. 13 is a flowchart for interpreting an information field of a MIMO setup control element according to Embodiment 1;
14 is a diagram illustrating a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 1;
15 is a diagram illustrating a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 2;
16 is a diagram illustrating a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 3;
Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a digital BF procedure according to Modification Example 3;
18 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a MIMO setup control element according to the second embodiment.
19 is a flowchart for setting an information field of a MIMO setup control element according to Embodiment 2;
20 is a flowchart for interpreting an information field of a MIMO setup control element according to Embodiment 2;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Although the technique described in this disclosure can be applied to a number of wireless communication systems, it is for the purpose of illustration, and the rest of the description in the present disclosure is an IEEE 802.11 based Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN: Wireless Local Area Network) network) system and its related predicates. This should not be construed as limiting the present disclosure with respect to alternative wireless communication systems.

FIG. 1 shows SU-MIMO operation in a radio system (system) 100 . The wireless system 100 includes an initiator 102 and a responder 104 . Both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 are provided with a plurality of array antennas. The plurality of array antennas support a Single User (SU)-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) operation using a plurality of spatial streams configured to form one antenna beam/sector per array antenna. A sector is one of the directivity control components, and is referred to by a sector ID (Sector ID) defined in the 802.11 ay standard. Note that, in the following description, a sector may be read as an AWV (Antenna Weighting Vector). For example, like AWV used in the third TRN subfield of a BRP frame to be described later, AWV may be used when signaling (feedback) in which correspondence with sector IDs is not fixed.

＜SU-MIMO BF Training＞

Prior to executing the SU-MIMO operation, the initiator 102 is used to determine a recommended TX/RX sector combination (eg, a best TX/RX sector combination) for transmission of a plurality of spatial streams. and analog beamforming training (SU-MIMO BF training) is applied to the plurality of array antennas of the responder 104 . Here, when it indicates that TX/RX is transmitted from the initiator 102 and received by the responder 104 , the combination of TX/RX sectors is the initiator that the initiator 102 transmits and the responder 104 receives. Refers to the (best) combination of the TX sector of the initiator 102 and the RX sector of the responder 104 for the link. In addition, when it indicates that TX/RX is transmitted from the responder 104 and received by the initiator 102, the combination of TX/RX sectors is a response that the responder 104 transmits and the initiator 102 receives. It points to the (best) combination of the TX sector of the responder 104 and the RX sector of the initiator 102 for further link.

Since the TX antenna and the RX antenna may form one TX sector and one RX sector for each array antenna, respectively, the recommended TX/RX sector combination for MIMO transmission belongs to a specific TX/RX antenna pair, respectively. In addition, when the number of TX antennas is the same as that of RX antennas, all TX/RX antenna pairs to which the recommended TX/RX sector combination belongs is a single TX/RX antenna for any TX antenna or any RX antenna. It does not overlap in the meaning of belonging only to RX antenna pair. This is because, when there is an overlapping TX/RX antenna pair, a specific TX antenna or RX antenna does not participate in the SU-MIMO operation. In this case, the maximum number of spatial streams equal to the minimum number of TX antennas and RX antennas cannot be supported.

For example, in the TX/RX antenna pair (TX1-RX2, TX2-RX1) of the following <Table 1>, TX antenna TX1 and TX2 are either one TX/RX antenna pair TX1-RX2, respectively. and TX2-RX1. In addition, both of the RX antennas RX1 and RX2 belong to one TX/RX antenna pair TX2-RX1 and TX1-RX2, respectively. In this case, the number of two MIMO streams equal to the maximum number of spatial streams, that is, the minimum number of TX antennas and RX antennas, is supported.

In contrast, in the TX/RX antenna pair (TX1-RX1, TX1-RX2) of <Table 1>, the TX antenna TX1 belongs to both of the two TX/RX antenna pairs TX1-RX1 and TX1-RX2. Accordingly, the two TX/RX antenna pairs TX1-RX1 and TX1-RX2 overlap, and the remaining TX antenna TX2 does not participate in the SU-MIMO operation. In this case, the number of one MIMO stream which is less than two equal to the maximum number of spatial streams, that is, the minimum number of TX antennas and RX antennas, is supported.

By the SU-MIMO BF training, it is possible to determine the TX antenna configuration and the corresponding RX antenna configuration for simultaneous transmission of a plurality of spatial streams from the initiator 102 to the responder 104 or vice versa. In addition, the SU-MIMO BF training enables the transmission BF operation and the reception BF operation between the initiator 102 and the responder 104 . Between the initiator 102 and the responder 104, a single spatial stream is transmitted via a plurality of antennas using the determined TX antenna settings. Further, a single spatial stream is received via a plurality of antennas using the determined corresponding RX antenna settings.

SU-MIMO BF training consists of two successive phases: a Single Input Single Output (SISO) phase and a MIMO phase. The purpose of the SISO phase is for the initiator 102 to collect feedback from the responder 104 for the last initiator transmit sector sweep executed during or before the SISO phase, and the last The responder 104 collects feedback from the initiator 102 for the responder transmit sector sweep of . The purpose of the MIMO phase is to train the TX/RX sector and TX/RX antenna to determine a recommended combination of TX/RX sector and TX/RX antenna for SU-MIMO operation.

<SU-MIMO BF Training: Non-Reciprocal MIMO Phase>

2 shows a non-reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training. MIMO phase (non-reciprocal MIMO phase) of 802.11 ay SU-MIMO BF training is SU-MIMO BF setup sub-phase, initiator SU-MIMO BF training (I-SMBT) sub-phase, responder SMBT (R-SMBT) It consists of four sub-phases: a sub-phase, and a SU-MIMO BF feedback sub-phase.

In the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, first, the initiator 102 transmits a MIMO BF setup frame 202 to the responder 104 . In the following, a frame is an example of a signal. The MIMO BF setup frame 202 includes configuration information to be used by the responder 104 in the R-SMBT sub-phase.

The MIMO BF setup frame 202 includes the number of combinations of TX sectors required for the initiator link, N _tsc(I) , and the number of TRN subfields required for RX AWV training in the next R-SMBT subphase. indicates. In addition, based on the SNR of the TX sector collected from the responder 104 in the SISO phase, the initiator 102 selects a subset of the candidate TX sector for each antenna in order to reduce the time required for training of the I-SMBT. You can choose.

When the initiator 102 has an antenna pattern reciprocity (Reciprocity), the subset of candidate TX sectors for each antenna selected by the initiator 102 for the I-SMBT subphase is the next R-SMBT subphase Please note that it can be used to reduce the number of TRN subfields used for RX AWV training.

The responder 104 then sends a MIMO BF setup frame 204 to the initiator 102 after receiving the MIMO BF setup frame 202 from the initiator 102 . The MIMO BF setup frame 204 includes configuration information to be used by the initiator 102 in the I-SMBT sub-phase.

The MIMO BF setup frame 204 includes the number of combinations of TX sectors required for the responder link, N _tsc(R) , and the number of TRN subfields required for RX AWV training in the next I-SMBT subphase. indicates In addition, based on the SNR of the TX sector collected from the initiator 102 in the SISO phase, the responder 104 selects a subset of the candidate TX sector for each antenna to reduce the time required for R-SMBT training. can

When the responder 104 has an antenna pattern recipe, the subset of candidate TX sectors per antenna selected by the responder 104 for the R-SMBT subphase is RX in the next I-SMBT subphase. Please note that it can be used to reduce the number of TRN subfields required for AWV training.

The initiator 102 initiates the initiator SMBT (I-SMBT) sub-phase following receipt of the MIMO BF setup frame 204 from the responder 104 . In the I-SMBT subphase, the initiator 102 performs initiator SU-MIMO BF training. The initiator 102 transmits the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 to the responder 104 via a plurality of TX antennas.

The EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 includes a plurality of TRN subfields that the responder 104 transmits to perform training of the receiving sector and AWV. The responder 104 receives the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 while changing the reception sector and the reception AWV, so that the reception sector and the AWV can be trained. In addition, the initiator 102 can train the transmission sector by transmitting the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 while changing the transmission sector. That is, the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 is a packet for evaluating (training) the combination of the TX sector of the initiator, the RX sector of the responder, and AWV. The number of TRN subfields of each EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 is configured according to the TRN configuration information in the MIMO BF setup frame 204 received from the responder 104 .

The responder 104 receives the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 210 via a plurality of RX antennas to train a combination of different TX/RX sectors for the initiator link.

Then, the responder 104 receives the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 212 from the initiator 102 and then starts the responder SMBT (R-SMBT) sub-phase. In the R-SMBT subphase, the responder 104 transmits the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 220 to the initiator 102 via a plurality of TX antennas.

The EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 220 is the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet described above, except that the initiator 102 and the responder 104 are replaced with the responder 104 and the initiator 102, respectively. It is the same packet as the TX packet 210 . The number of TRN subfields of each EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 220 is configured according to the TRN configuration information in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 received from the initiator 102 in the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase. do.

The initiator 102 receives the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 220 via a plurality of RX antennas, and trains a combination of different TX/RX sectors for the responder link.

The initiator 102 then initiates the SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase after reception of the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 222 from the responder 104 . The initiator 102 transmits a MIMO BF feedback frame 232 to the responder 104 in the SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase.

The MIMO BF feedback frame 232 includes N _tsc(R) recommended TX sectors (eg, best TX sectors) for the responder link, determined based on the channel measurement data obtained from the R-SMBT subphase. represents a combination of Here, the responder link is a link from the responder 104 to the initiator 102 . The MIMO BF feedback frame 232 includes SNRs corresponding to combinations of N _tsc(R) recommended TX sectors. The MIMO BF feedback frame 232 may include a channel measurement result corresponding to a combination of N _tsc(R) recommended TX sectors.

The responder 104 then sends a MIMO BF feedback frame 234 to the initiator 102 after receiving the MIMO BF feedback frame 232 from the initiator 102 .

The MIMO BF feedback frame 234 contains N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors (eg, best TX sectors) for the initiator link, determined based on the channel measurement data obtained from the I-SMBT subphase. represents a combination. Here, the initiator link is a link from the initiator 102 to the responder 104 . The MIMO BF feedback frame 234 includes SNRs corresponding to combinations of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors. The MIMO BF feedback frame 234 includes a channel measurement result corresponding to a combination of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors.

According to the present disclosure, for the non-reciprocal MIMO phase of the SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 2, a combination of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors for the initiator link (or equivalently N _tsc(I)) recommended TX-RX AWV configurations) and a combination of N _tsc(R) recommended TX sectors for the responder link (or equivalently N _tsc(R) recommended TX-RX AWV configurations), TX or RX The AWV is determined in such a way that it does not originate from the same antenna.

The initiator 102 and the responder 104 need to train all combinations of TX/RX sectors, so SU-MIMO BF training requires a long time to execute. Therefore, in order to reduce the time required for SU-MIMO BF training, the present disclosure has been reached.

[Embodiment 1]

<Configuration of STA>

3A is a schematic configuration diagram of an STA 800 according to the present disclosure. 3B is a detailed configuration diagram of an STA 800 according to the present disclosure. The STA 800 is an example of the initiator 102 or responder 104 according to the present disclosure. The STA 800 includes a transmission signal generation circuit (generation circuit) 810 , a transceiver 820 (transmission circuit and/or reception circuit), a reception signal processing circuit (processing circuit) 830 , and a control circuit ( 840) is provided. For example, the transmission signal generation circuit 810 , the reception signal processing circuit 830 , and the control circuit 840 may be implemented as MAC processing circuits.

The transmission signal generation circuit 810 generates a transmission signal. The transmission signal generation circuit 810 includes a message generation circuit 812 . The message generating circuit 812 generates a signal under the control of the control circuit 840 . The signal is a data signal or a control signal, for example, a packet or a frame. The generated data signal and control signal are, for example, a MIMO BF setup frame, a BRP frame, and a MIMO BF feedback frame.

The transceiver 820 transmits the generated signal. In addition, the transceiver 820 receives a radio signal. The transceiver 820 includes a PHY processing circuit 822 and a plurality of antennas 824 . The PHY processing circuit 822 performs PHY processing on the signal generated by the message generation circuit 812 . The PHY-processed signal is converted from a baseband signal into a radio frequency signal, and transmitted via a plurality of antennas 824 .

The received signal processing circuit 830 processes the received signal. The reception signal processing circuit 830 includes a message processing circuit 832 . The message processing circuit 832 processes (analyzes) the received signal under the control of the control circuit 840 and provides it to the control circuit 840 . The received signal is a data signal or a control signal, for example a packet or a frame.

The control circuit 840 is a PHY and Media Access Control (MAC) protocol controller, and controls overall PHY and MAC protocol operations. The control circuit 840 includes a BF control circuit 842 that controls analog BF and hybrid BF operation (eg, SU-MIMO BF training followed by digital BF procedure) according to the present disclosure. The BF control circuit 842 determines a TX sector and an RX sector (recommended TX sector and RX sector) to be used by the STA 800 for MIMO transmission.

<Format>

4 shows an example of the format of the action field of the MIMO BF setup frame according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the MIMO BF setup frame has a MIMO setup control element in sequence number 4 as part of the action field.

5 shows an example of the format of the MIMO setup control element 400 according to the first embodiment. The MIMO setup control element 400 is used to convey configuration information related to the SU-MIMO BF training and feedback subphase or the MU-MIMO BF training and feedback subphase.

The MIMO setup control element 400 includes a SU/MU field, a non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field, a DL/UL MU-MIMO phase field, and a link type field.

The SU/MU field, for example, if the value is 1, indicates that SU-MIMO BF training is intended. In addition, the SU/MU field, for example, if the value is 0, it indicates that MU-MIMO (Multi-user MIMO: multiuser MIMO) BF training is intended.

The non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field, for example, if the value is 1, indicates that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase shown in FIG. 2 is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. In addition, if the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field has a value of, for example, 0, it indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase shown in FIG. 7 is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. If the value of the SU/MU field is 0, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field is a reserved field.

The DL/UL MU-MIMO phase field indicates whether the downlink MIMO phase (refer to FIG. 10) or the uplink MIMO phase (refer to FIG. 11) is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, and this field is SU-MIMO Reserved for BF training.

The link type field indicates whether the configuration information is information related to an initiator link or information related to a responder link.

In Embodiment 1, when the non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, a value indicating that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied is set in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 shown in FIG. . For example, the value of the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 shown in FIG. 2 and the value of the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field are non-reciprocal. If it indicates that the MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, it is set to 1.

In addition, the value of the link type field is set to 1 when the configuration information included in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 is information related to the initiator link. In addition, the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO BF setup frame 204 are set to be the same as each corresponding field of the MIMO BF setup frame 202 .

In other words, both the value of the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 204 and the value of the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field indicate that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase is SU. - When applied to MIMO BF training, it is set to 1.

In addition, the value of the link type field is set to 0 when the configuration information included in the MIMO BF setup frame 204 is information related to the responder link.

In Embodiment 1, when the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, a value set in the MIMO BF setup frame will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 .

6 shows an example of the format of an EDMG BRP packet according to the first embodiment. A packet is an example of a signal. The EDMG BRP packet has a data field 502 and a TRN field 504 . The data field 502 includes a BRP frame. The TRN field 504 includes a plurality of TRN subfields and is configured according to the type of the EDMG BRP packet. For example, the TRN field 504 of the EDMG BRP-TX packet is configured to train one or a plurality of TX sectors, while the TRN field 504 of the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet is one or It is configured to train a plurality of TX sectors and some RX AWVs for each TX sector.

<SU-MIMO BF Training: Reciprocal MIMO Phase>

A case in which both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern reciprocity will be considered. Here, the antenna pattern reciprocity refers to a property in which the characteristics of the TX antenna and the RX antenna used for MIMO transmission in each direction match, and the best TX sector and the best RX sector match. In this case, the initiator 102 may initiate a reciprocal MIMO phase for SU-MIMO BF training.

7 shows a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment. The reciprocal MIMO phase shown in FIG. 7 includes three subphases: a SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, an I-SMBT subphase, and a SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase. In the reciprocal MIMO phase, among the frames and packets shown in Fig. 2 transmitted and received in the non-reciprocal MIMO phase, corresponding to the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 220 of the R-SMBT for the responder link. A packet and a frame corresponding to the MIMO BF feedback 232 for the R-SMBT may be omitted.

In the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, the initiator 102 sends a MIMO BF setup frame 602 to the responder 104 . In Embodiment 1, the values of the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 602 indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase is SU-MIMO. It is set to 1 or 0, respectively, since it indicates that it applies to BF training. In addition, the value of the link type field is set to 1 when the configuration information included in the MIMO BF setup frame 602 is information related to the initiator link. The MIMO BF setup frame 602 indicates the number of combinations of TX sectors required for the initiator link, N _tsc(I) . In addition, based on the SNR of the TX sector collected from the responder 104 in the SISO phase, the initiator 102 reduces the number of TRN subfields in order to reduce the time required for training of the I-SMBT, the antenna It is possible to select (set) a subset of each candidate TX sector.

The responder 104 sends a MIMO BF setup frame 604 to the initiator 102 after receiving the MIMO BF setup frame 602 from the initiator 102 .

The values of the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO BF setup frame 604 are set to the same values as the values of the corresponding fields of the MIMO BF setup frame 602, respectively. do. In other words, the values of the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO BF setup frame 604 indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. to 1 or 0, respectively. In addition, the value of the link type field is set to 1 when the configuration information included in the MIMO BF setup frame 604 is information related to the initiator link.

In addition, the MIMO BF setup frame 604 indicates the number of TRN (Training) subfields required for RX AWV training in the next I-SMBT sub-phase. Based on the SNR of the TX sector collected from the initiator 102 in the SISO phase, the responder 104 reduces the number of TRN subfields in order to reduce the time required for I-SMBT training, per antenna. It is possible to select a subset of the candidate RX sector of .

The initiator 102 initiates the I-SMBT subphase after receiving the MIMO BF setup frame 604 from the responder 104 . In the I-SMBT subphase, the initiator 102 transmits an EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 610 (the first BRP packet) to the responder 104 . The number of TRN subfields of each EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 610 depends on the TRN configuration information in the MIMO BF setup frame 604 received from the responder 104 in the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase. is composed

The responder 104 initiates the SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase after reception of the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 612 from the initiator 102 . The responder 104 sends a MIMO BF feedback frame 622 (a first MIMO BF feedback frame) to the initiator 102 . The MIMO BF feedback frame 622 includes N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors (eg, best TX sectors) for the initiator link, determined based on the channel measurement data obtained from the I-SMBT subphase. represents a combination. The MIMO BF feedback frame 622 includes SNRs corresponding to combinations of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors. The MIMO BF feedback frame 622 may include a channel measurement result corresponding to a combination of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors.

In Embodiment 1, for the reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 7, a combination of N _tsc(I) recommended TX sectors for the initiator link (or equivalently N _tsc(I)) recommended TX-RX AWV configuration) is determined in such a way that TX or RX AWV do not originate from the same antenna. The N _tsc(I) recommended TX/RX sector combinations (eg, best TX/RX sector combinations) determined for the initiator link are, respectively, the N _tsc(R) recommended TX/RX sector combinations for the responder link. It is treated as a combination of RX/TX sectors. However, N _tsc(I) =N _tsc(R) .

The initiator 102 determines a recommended combination of RX sectors to be used by the initiator 102 for the responder link, based on the recommended combination of RX/TX sectors for the responder link. The recommended combination of RX sectors to be used by the initiator 102 for the responder link may be the same as the recommended combination of TX sectors to be used by the initiator 102 for the initiator link.

The responder 104 determines a recommended combination of TX sectors to be used by the responder 104 for the responder link, based on the recommended combination of RX/TX sectors for the responder link. The recommended combination of TX sectors to be used by the responder 104 for the responder link may be the same as the recommended combination of RX sectors to be used by the responder 104 for the initiator link.

In Embodiment 1, the above-described reciprocal MIMO phase is used in addition to or instead of the above-described non-reciprocal MIMO phase for the MIMO phase of SU-MIMO beamforming. The initiator 102 determines whether a non-reciprocal MIMO phase or a reciprocal MIMO phase is used for SU-MIMO BF training at the responder 104 . If either of the initiator 102 and the responder 104 does not have an antenna pattern reciprocity, in other words, when the TX antenna pattern related to the AWV is not the same as the RX antenna pattern of the same AWV, non-reciprocity A procal MIMO phase is used. If both initiator 102 and responder 104 have antenna pattern reciprocity, either a non-reciprocal MIMO phase or a reciprocal MIMO phase may be used.

＜Hybrid BF＞

In the first embodiment, after the SU-MIMO BF training including the MIMO phase shown in Fig. 2 or 7 is completed, the initiator 102 and the responder 104 execute the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation. can proceed. The digital BF procedure enables the determination of the baseband beamformer based on the antenna configuration determined as a result of SU-MIMO BF training.

Fig. 8A shows an example of the digital BF procedure according to the first embodiment. In an example of the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A, digital BF is applied to the responder link.

First, the responder 104 transmits a Control Trailer (CT) 702a and a permission frame 702 to the initiator 102 . Here, the CT 702a includes information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure.

Then, the initiator 102 responds to the responder 104 by transmitting a Grant Ack frame 704 with the CT 704a after successful reception of the grant frame 702 . Here, the CT 704a includes information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure.

The responder 104 then transmits the CT 706a and a Ready To Send (RTS) frame 706 to the initiator 102 to access the channel and digital BF for the responder link. notice the commencement of the procedure; Here, the CT 706a contains information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure.

Then, the initiator 102, after successful reception of the RTS frame 706, the CT 708a and the DMG (Directional Multi-Gigabit) CTS (Clear To Send) frame 708 and responds to the responder 104 . Here, the CT 708a contains information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure. Furthermore, the initiator 102 configures the array antenna for the responder link based on the antenna configuration information in the authorization acknowledgment response frame 704 .

Then, the responder 104 transmits an EDMG BRP-TX packet 712 (second BRP packet) to be described later with reference to FIG. 6 to sound the channel for the initiator link (for channel measurement) signal). The EDMG BRP-TX packet 712 is transmitted with an antenna configuration for the responder link based on the result of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 7 .

Then, the initiator 102 sends a MIMO BF feedback frame 714 (a second MIMO BF feedback frame) containing the SNR, MIMO channel measurement or digital precoding matrix information for the responder link to the responder Respond to (104).

By the above-described procedure, the initiator 102 obtains the feedback of the SNR for the responder link by using the hybrid BF, and determines an appropriate MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) based on the SNR.

Fig. 8B shows another example of the digital BF procedure according to the first embodiment. In an example of the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8B, digital BF is applied to the initiator link.

First, the initiator 102 transmits the control trailer 702a and the permission frame 702 to the responder 104 . Here, the CT 702a includes information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure.

Then, the responder 104 responds to the initiator 102 by transmitting the permission acknowledgment response frame 704 with the CT 704a after successful reception of the permission frame 702 . Here, the CT 704a includes information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure.

The initiator 102 then transmits the CT 706a and the RTS frame 706 to the responder 104 to access the channel and notify the start of the digital BF procedure for the initiator link. Here, the CT 706a contains information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure.

The responder 104 then responds to the initiator 102 by transmitting the CT 708a and the DMG CTS frame 708 after successful reception of the RTS frame 706 . Here, the CT 708a contains information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure. Also, the responder 104 configures an array antenna for the responder link based on the antenna configuration information in the permission acknowledgment frame 704 .

Then, the responder 104 transmits an EDMG BRP-TX packet 712 (second BRP packet) to be described later with reference to FIG. 6 to sound the channel for the responder link (channel measurement is performed). to transmit a signal). The EDMG BRP-TX packet 712 is transmitted with an antenna configuration for the responder link based on the result of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 7 .

Then, the initiator 102 sends a MIMO BF feedback frame 714 (a second MIMO BF feedback frame) containing the SNR, MIMO channel measurement or digital precoding matrix information for the responder link to the responder Respond to (104).

In Fig. 7, when the initiator link is measured using the BRP frame 610, the BRP frame 712 is used to measure the responder link. In the SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 7 , the measurement of the responder link is omitted and the SNR of both the initiator link and the responder link can be measured despite omitting the measurement of the initiator link in FIG. 8A or 8B. .

By the above-described procedure, the responder 104 obtains the feedback of the SNR for the responder link by using the hybrid BF, and determines an appropriate MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) based on the SNR. .

In addition, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field described above with reference to FIG. 5 is, in addition to or instead of the MIMO setup control element 400, shown in FIG. 8A and It may be included in the CT 702a, 704a, 706a, or 708a described above with reference to Fig. 8B. When the responder 104 or the initiator 102 designates a reciprocal to the CT 702a, the initiator 102 or the responder 104 omits the transmission of the BRP frame. By shortening the execution time of the procedure of the appearing digital BF, power consumption can be reduced.

Also, in the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8B, the responder 104 may transmit a DMG CTS to Self frame instead of the DMG CTS 708. Here, in the DMG CTS to Self frame, by setting both the source and destination addresses to itself (responder 104), the DMG CTS to Self frame is transmitted by itself (responder 104) after the DMG CTS to Self frame. This is a frame for notifying other STAs. The operation of transmitting the DMG CTS to Self frame as a response to the RTS frame 706 is an operation not defined in an existing standard such as the 11ad standard, but the frame exchange procedure conforms to the existing standard.

When the value of the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field included in the CT 706a of the RTS frame 706 indicates reciprocal, the BRP 712 after the DMG CTS 708 is transmitted. The transmission may be permitted, or it may be permitted to perform the DMG CTS to Self after the RTS 706 is transmitted. The initiator 102 sets a value representing the reciprocal in the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field and notifies the responder 104, so that the responder 104 is different from the 11ad standard. It can be assumed that frames are transmitted sequentially. Accordingly, in response to the RTS frame 706, the responder 104 can perform DMG CTS to Self, which is not specified in the 11ad standard, without increasing the complexity of the control. In addition, after transmitting the DMG CTS 708 , the responder 104 can transmit the BRP 712 without increasing the complexity of the control.

<SU-MIMO Channel Access>

Fig. 9 shows SU-MIMO channel access after SU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment (Fig. 7) or after SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 2; After performing the SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 2 or 7, the initiator 102 and the responder 104 perform SU-MIMO channel access using a combination of the recommended TX sectors determined by training.

First, the initiator 102 transmits the CT 402a and the permission frame 402 to the responder 104 . Here, the CT 402a includes information indicating a combination of a SU-MIMO transmission used and a SU-MIMO data transmission for an initiator link or a recommended TX sector used in a digital BF procedure.

Then, the responder 104 responds to the initiator 102 by transmitting the permission acknowledgment response frame 404 with the CT 404a after successful reception of the permission frame 402 . Here, the CT 404a indicates that the MIMO RX can prepare by the target time, that during SU-MIMO BF training, the transmitting source of the CT 404a was either an initiator or a responder, and for the responder link. Includes information indicating a recommended TX sector combination used in SU-MIMO data transmission or digital BF procedure. Note that in the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 2 or 7 and the SU-MIMO channel access shown in Fig. 9, the initiator and the responder may be exchanged.

Furthermore, CT 404a includes a SU-MIMO Transmission Configuration Type field. Here, the SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field is a field indicating whether a recommended TX sector combination is obtained from SU-MIMO BF training and feedback for either a responder link or an initiator link. For example, when the value of the SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field is 0, the SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field indicates that a recommended TX sector combination is obtained from SU-MIMO BF training and feedback for the initiator link. include information.

In addition, when the recommended TX/RX sector combination determined for the initiator link is treated as a recommended RX/TX sector combination for the responder link, respectively, the initiator 102, the SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field Without referring to , it may operate as a recommended combination of TX sectors obtained from SU-MIMO BF training and feedback for the initiator link.

For example, when the value of the SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field of the CT 404a is 0, the initiator 102 is the initiator indicated by the grant frame 402 as a combination of recommended RX sectors for the responder link. We use the recommended TX sector combination of (102).

In addition, the responder 104 uses the antenna pattern recipe to select the recommended TX sector combination to be used by the responder 104. The permission frame 402 indicates the recommended TX sector of the initiator 102. It is set as a combination of the recommended RX sectors of the responder 104 corresponding to the combination.

Then, the initiator 102 transmits the CT 406a and the RTS frame 406 to the initiator 102 to access the channel. Here, the CT 406a, like the CT 402a, is information indicating a combination of a SU-MIMO transmission used and a recommended TX sector used in a digital BF procedure for SU-MIMO data transmission or initiator link. includes

The responder 104 then responds to the initiator 102 by transmitting the CT 408a and the DMG CTS frame 408 after successful reception of the RTS frame 406 . Here, the CT 408a indicates that MIMO RX is prepared, that SU-MIMO transmission is used in the reverse direction, and that SU-MIMO data transmission or a recommended TX sector used in the digital BF procedure for the responder link are used. Contains information indicating the combination. Also, the CT 408a, like the CT 404a, includes a SU-MIMO transmission configuration type field.

Then, after successful reception of the DMG CTS frame 408, the initiator 102 sends the data frame 410 to the responder 104 using the recommended TX sector combination indicated by the CT 406a. send The responder 104 receiving the data frame 410 responds to the initiator 102 by sending an acknowledgment frame 412 .

<MU-MIMO BF Training>

According to the first embodiment, MU-MIMO BF training is performed so that mutual interference between streams transmitted in a PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) is minimized. It enables the initiator 102 and one or a plurality of responders 104 in the group to establish an antenna configuration that makes it possible to transmit the PPDU. MU-MIMO BF training has a continuous SISO phase and a MIMO phase.

The SISO phase collects feedback on one or more appropriate initiator's TX and responder's RX antennas and sectors between the initiator and each responder in the group. This collected information may then be used to execute the next MIMO phase. The MIMO phase includes a downlink MIMO phase or an uplink MIMO phase. In addition, the SU-MIMO operation and the MU-MIMO operation are independent operations, respectively, and a terminal corresponding to both operations may perform either operation first.

<MU-MIMO BF training: downlink MIMO phase: non-reciprocal MIMO phase>

Fig. 10 shows the downlink MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment. The downlink MIMO phase includes four subphases: MU-MIMO BF setup subphase, MU-MIMO BF training subphase, MU-MIMO BF feedback subphase and MU-MIMO BF selection subphase.

In the MU-MIMO BF setup sub-phase of the downlink MIMO phase, first, the initiator 102 based on the designation by the EDMG group and group user mask shown in FIG. ) determines the number M of the responders 104 in the group performing training. The initiator 102 then sends one or more MIMO BF setup frames 902 to the M responders 104 in the group.

According to Embodiment 1, the SU/MU field and the DL/UL MU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 902 indicate that the downlink MIMO phase is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, respectively. To indicate, it is set to 0 and 1. In addition, based on the SNR of the TX sector collected from the responder in the SISO phase, the initiator 102 may select a subset of the candidate TX sector for each antenna in order to reduce the time required for MU-MIMO BF training. .

The initiator 102 initiates the MU-MIMO BF training subphase after transmission of the MIMO BF setup frame 902 . In the MU-MIMO BF training subphase, the initiator 102 transmits an EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 910 to the responder 104 .

The initiator 102 initiates the MU-MIMO BF feedback subphase after transmission of the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 912 . In the MU-MIMO BF feedback subphase, the initiator 102 sequentially transmits MIMO BF polling frames to collect MU-MIMO BF feedback by polling each responder in the group.

Each responder 104 receives a MIMO BF polling frame 920 . Each responder 104 checks the address written in the MIMO BF polling frame 920, and when the corresponding address is described, the corresponding responder 104 sends the MIMO BF feedback frame 922 transmitted to the initiator 102 . The MIMO BF feedback frame indicates an SNR corresponding to a combination of N _tsc recommended TX sectors and N _tsc recommended TX sectors, obtained via channel measurement data obtained from the MU-MIMO BF training subphase. The MIMO BF feedback frame may include a channel measurement result corresponding to a combination of N _tsc recommended TX sectors. Here, N _tsc indicates N _tsc(I) . In the downlink MIMO phase shown in Fig. 10, MU-MIMO training in the downlink direction is performed, and there is no responder link. Therefore, for simplicity, N _tsc(I) is written as N _tsc .

Prior to the MU-MIMO BF feedback, the initiator 102, the initiator 102 polls for each responder 104, and MIMO BF from the Mth responder 104 in the group, that is, the last responder 104 in the group. After reception of the feedback frame, the MU-MIMO BF selection subphase is initiated. In the MU-MIMO BF selection subphase, the initiator 102 transmits one or more MIMO BF selection frames 930 to each responder 104 in the group. Each MIMO BF selection frame includes information on the MU-MIMO transmission configuration.

<MU-MIMO BF training: uplink MIMO phase: reciprocal MIMO phase>

When the initiator 102 has the antenna pattern recipe, the initiator 102 initiates the uplink MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training.

11 shows an uplink MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training according to the first embodiment. The uplink MIMO phase includes three subphases: a MU-MIMO BF setup subphase, a MU-MIMO BF training subphase, and a MU-MIMO BF selection subphase.

In the MU-MIMO BF setup subphase of the uplink MIMO phase, the initiator 102 transmits one or more MIMO BF setup frames 1002 to each responder 104 in the group. According to Embodiment 1, both the SU/MU field and the DL/UL MU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 1002 indicate that the uplink MIMO phase is applied to MU-MIMO BF training. To indicate, it is set to 0.

The initiator 102 initiates the MU-MIMO BF training subphase after transmission of the MIMO BF setup frame 1002 . In the MU-MIMO BF training subphase, the initiator 102 sequentially transmits a MIMO BF polling frame 1010 to each responder 104 in the group. Each MIMO BF polling frame 1010 includes information indicating the number of TRN subfields to be used for receive AWV training in the next EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 1012 transmitted by the corresponding responder 104. include Each responder 104 receives a MIMO BF polling frame 1010 . The responder 104 corresponding to the address included in the MIMO BF polling frame 1010 transmits one or a plurality of EDMG BRP-RX/TX packets 1012 to the initiator 102 .

Based on the number M of responders 104 in the group designated by the EDMG group ID and group user mask shown in Fig. 5, the initiator 102 is the M-th responder in the group, that is, the last responder 104 in the group. After receiving the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet from , the MU-MIMO BF selection subphase is initiated. In the MU-MIMO BF selection subphase, the initiator 102 transmits one or more MIMO BF selection frames 1030 to each responder 104 in the group. Each MIMO BF selection frame includes information on the MU-MIMO transmission configuration.

<Flowchart>

12 shows a flowchart 1100 for setting the information field of the MIMO setup control element 400 according to the first embodiment. The flowchart 1100 starts at step 1102 . In step 1104, the initiator 102 determines whether SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO BF training is intended. When SU-MIMO BF training is intended (step 1104: Yes), the process proceeds to step 1110, and when not intended (step 1104: No), the process advances to step 1120.

In step 1110, the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 400 is set to 1 to indicate that SU-MIMO BF training is intended. In step 1120, the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 400 is set to 0 to indicate that SU-MIMO BF training is not intended.

In step 1112 , the initiator 102 evaluates whether both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern reciprocity. If both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have the antenna pattern reciprocity (step 1112: Yes), the flow advances to step 1114. If not (step 1112: No), the flow advances to step 1116.

In step 1116, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 400 indicates that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 2 ) is applied to the SU-MIMO BF training. To bet, it is set to 1, and then flowchart 1100 ends at step 1130 .

In step 1114, the initiator 102 determines whether a reciprocal MIMO phase is intended to be applied to SU-MIMO BF training. If the reciprocal MIMO phase is intended to be applied to SU-MIMO BF training (step 1114: Yes), the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 400 is At 1118 the reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 7 ) is zeroed to indicate that it is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, and then the flowchart 1100 ends at step 1130 . If the reciprocal MIMO phase is not intended to be applied to the SU-MIMO BF training (step 1114: No), the flow proceeds to step 1116.

In step 1120, after the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 400 is set to 0, in step 1122, the initiator 102 evaluates whether the initiator 102 has an antenna pattern recipe. . If the initiator 102 has the antenna pattern recipe (step 1122: Yes), then proceeds to step 1124, otherwise (step 1122: No), in step 1126, the DL/ of the MIMO setup control element 400 The UL MU-MIMO phase field is set to 1 to indicate that the downlink MIMO phase (see FIG. 10) is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, and then ends at step 1130 .

In step 1124, the initiator 102 determines whether the uplink MIMO phase is intended to be applied to MU-MIMO BF training. If it is intended that the uplink MIMO phase to be applied to MU-MIMO BF training (step 1124: Yes), the process proceeds to step 1128; if it is not (step 1124: No), the process proceeds to step 1126.

In step 1128, the DL/UL MU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 400 is zeroed to indicate that the uplink MIMO phase (see FIG. 11) is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, then , it ends in step 1130 . Otherwise (step 1124: No), flowchart 1100 proceeds to step 1126 .

13 shows a flowchart 1200 for interpreting the information field of the MIMO setup control element 400 according to the first embodiment. Flowchart 1200 begins at step 1202 . In step 1204, the responder 104 receiving the MIMO setup control element 400 checks whether the SU/MU field is set to 1. When the SU/MU field is set to 1 (step 1204: Yes), the process proceeds to step 1210. When the SU/MU field is set to 0 (step 1204: No), the process proceeds to step 1220.

In step 1210, the responder 104 checks whether the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the received MIMO setup control element 400 is set to zero. If the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field is set to 0 (step 1210: Yes), proceed to step 1214; if it is set to 1 (step 1210: No), proceed to step 1212 do.

At step 1214 , the responder 104 determines that a reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1230 . At step 1212 , the responder 104 determines that a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied for SU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1230 .

In step 1220 , the responder 104 checks whether the DL/ULMU-MIMO phase field of the received MIMO setup control element 400 is set to zero. If the DL/ULMU-MIMO phase field is set to 0 (step 1220: Yes), the process goes to step 1224. If it is set to 1 (step 1220: No), the process goes to step 1222.

At step 1224 , the responder 104 determines that the uplink MIMO phase applies to MU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1230 . At step 1222, the responder 104 determines that the downlink MIMO phase applies to MU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1230.

According to Embodiment 1, using that both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern recipes, the R-SMBT sub-phase is omitted, and the SU-MIMO BF feedback sub-phase is simplified. Thereby, compared with the non-reciprocal MIMO phase shown in FIG. 2, the time required for SU-MIMO BF training can be reduced.

Further, according to the first embodiment, even when the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, the initiator 102 performs the MIMO channel quality included in the MIMO BF feedback 922 shown in FIG. Based on the information, eg, SNR, an appropriate transmission parameter, eg, MCS, may be determined to be used for communication with the responder 104 that has transmitted the MIMO BF feedback 922 . In addition, according to the reception quality of the BRP frame 1012 shown in Fig. 11, the initiator 102 transmits appropriate transmission parameters used for communication with the responder 104 that has transmitted the BRP frame 1012, for example, MCS may be determined. As such, the initiator 102 can determine an appropriate transmission parameter to use for communication with the responder 104, eg, MCS, after the digital BF procedure is executed. In the reciprocal MIMO phase, since the initiator 102 may omit notifying the responder 104 of information about the receiving sector, the time required for SU-MIMO BF training can be reduced.

Further, according to Embodiment 1, when the initiator 102 has an antenna pattern recipe, MU-MIMO BF feedback in the uplink MIMO phase shown in FIG. 11 compared with the downlink MIMO phase shown in FIG. Know (identify) that the subphase is omitted. Since the MU-MIMO BF feedback subphase is omitted, the time required for MU-MIMO BF training can be reduced.

[Modification 1]

In Embodiment 1 described above, in the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A or Fig. 8B, MIMO transmitted by the responder 104 according to the EDMG BRP-TX packet 712 transmitted by the initiator 102 Based on the BF feedback frame 714 , the responder 104 has determined an appropriate MCS to be used by the responder 104 . In contrast to this, in variant 1, a feedback of the SNR for the responder link is transmitted so that the responder 104 can determine an appropriate MCS based on the SNR, even if the digital BF procedure cannot be used. separate opportunities to do so.

14 shows a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 1. FIG. In one example, to transmit feedback of the SNR, a TRN field 624 is added to the MIMO BF feedback frame 622 transmitted by the responder 104, as shown in FIG.

The TRN field 624 is determined based on the recommended TX/RX sector combination for the initiator link and is transmitted by the responder 104 using the recommended RX/TX sector combination for the responder link. do. In one example, a TRN unit that is one or more TRN units at the beginning of the TRN field 624, added to the MIMO BF feedback frame 622, that cannot be processed by the initiator 102 is a responder link. It may be used by the initiator 102 to change the antenna configuration based on the recommended combination of RX/TX sectors for

The initiator 102 then transmits a MIMO BF feedback frame 626 (a third MIMO BF feedback frame) containing feedback of the SNR for the responder link.

In addition, the MIMO BF setup frame 602, the MIMO BF setup frame 604, and the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 610 shown in FIG. 14 are the same as those shown in FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.

According to variant 1, even if hybrid BF cannot be used, the responder 104, based on the feedback of the SNR for the responder link included in the MIMO BF feedback frame 626, can determine the appropriate MCS to use. In Embodiment 1, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 is determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 7 and the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A or Fig. 8B, respectively. In contrast, in the first modification, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 can be determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 14 . Note that, instead of using the TRN field 624 shown in Fig. 14 to measure the SNR of the responder link, the initiator 102 may use the TRN field 624 to measure the digital BF.

[Modification 2]

In Modification 1 described above, based on the feedback of the SNR for the responder link transmitted by the initiator 102 , the responder 104 determines the appropriate MCS to be used by the responder 104 . Instead of this, in the second modification, the responder 104 determines an appropriate MCS to be used by the responder 104 based on the information indicating the transmission power transmitted by the initiator 102 .

15 shows a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 2. FIG. As shown in FIG. 15 , for example, the MIMO BF setup frame 602 transmitted by the initiator 102 includes a transmit EIRP field 602a indicating the transmit Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) of the initiator 102 . do. The field 602a indicating the transmission EIRP may be inserted after the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 400 shown in FIG. 5, for example.

Using the values _{P I and TX} of the transmission EIRP shown in the transmission EIRP field 602a, the responder 104 can calculate the RSSI value RSSI of the initiator 102 using the following equation.

RSSI _I =P _{R, TX-} P _{I, TX} +RSSI _R

Here, P _{I and TX} represent the value of the transmission EIRP of the responder 104 , and RSSI _R represents the value of the RSSI of the responder 104 . The values of P _{I , TX} and RSSI _R are known to the responder 104 .

Then, the responder 104 may determine an appropriate MCS used by the responder 104 based on the calculated RSSI _I value.

In addition, the MIMO BF setup frame 604, the EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 610, and the MIMO BF feedback frame 622 shown in FIG. 15 are the same as those shown in FIG. 7, and a description thereof will be omitted.

According to variant 2, even if hybrid BF cannot be used, the responder 104 may determine the appropriate MCS to use by the responder 104 based on the transmit EIRP of the initiator 102 . In Embodiment 1, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 is determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 7 and the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A or Fig. 8B, respectively. In contrast to this, in the second modification, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 can be determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 15 .

[Modified example 3]

In the third modification, a case in which both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern reciprocity will be considered. In the third modification, among the frames shown in Fig. 2 transmitted and received in the non-reciprocal MIMO phase, frames or packets corresponding to the MIMO BF setup frame 204, I-SMBT, and MIMO BF feedback 234 are Transmission and reception are omitted.

Fig. 16 shows a reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training according to Modification Example 3; The reciprocal MIMO phase of Modification 3 consists of three subphases: a SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, an R-SMBT subphase, and a SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase. In the reciprocal MIMO phase of Modification 3, among the frames shown in Fig. 2 transmitted and received in the non-reciprocal MIMO phase, the MIMO BF setup frame 204, the I-SMBT for the responder link, and the I- Transmission and reception of a frame or packet corresponding to the MIMO BF feedback 234 for the SMBT may be omitted.

In the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, the initiator 102 sends a MIMO BF setup frame 652 to the responder 104 . In the modified example 3, the values of the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal SU-MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element in the MIMO BF setup frame 652 indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase is SU-MIMO. It is set to 1 and 0, respectively, to indicate that it applies to BF training. In addition, the value of the link type field is set to 0 to indicate that the configuration information included in the MIMO BF setup frame 652 is for a responder link.

The responder 104 then initiates the R-SMBT sub-phase. In the R-SMBT subphase, the responder 104 transmits an EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 660 (the third BRP packet) to the initiator 102 . The number of TRN subfields of each EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 660 is, according to the TRN configuration information in the MIMO BF setup frame 652 received from the initiator 102 in the SU-MIMO BF setup subphase, is composed

The initiator 102 initiates the SU-MIMO BF feedback subphase after reception of the last EDMG BRP-RX/TX packet 662 from the responder 104 . The initiator 102 sends a MIMO BF feedback frame 672 to the responder 104 . The MIMO BF feedback frame 672 indicates a combination of a recommended TX sector for a responder link and an SNR corresponding to the combination of the recommended TX sector, determined based on channel measurement data obtained from the R-SMBT subphase. include information. In addition, the MIMO BF feedback frame 672 may include information indicating the channel measurement result corresponding to the recommended TX sector combination.

In modification 3, for the reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 16, the recommended RX/TX sector combination determined for the responder link, that is, the recommended RX/TX sector combination is , respectively, are treated as a combination of recommended TX/RX sectors for the initiator link.

The initiator 102 determines a recommended TX sector combination to be used by the initiator 102 for the initiator link based on the recommended TX/RX sector combination for the initiator link. The combination of recommended TX sectors to be used by the initiator 102 for the initiator link may be the same as the recommended combination of RX sectors to be used by the initiator 102 for the responder link.

The responder 104 determines a recommended RX sector combination to be used by the responder 104 for the initiator link based on the recommended TX/RX sector combination for the initiator link. The recommended combination of RX sectors to be used by the responder 104 for the initiator link may be the same as the recommended combination of TX sectors to be used by the responder 104 for the responder link.

In Embodiment 1, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 is determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 7 and the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A or Fig. 8B, respectively. In contrast to this, in the third modification, the appropriate MCS used by the initiator 102 and the responder 104 can be determined by the SU-MIMO BF training shown in Fig. 16 .

According to Modification 3, using that both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern recipes, the I-SMBT sub-phase is omitted, so that the SU-MIMO BF setup sub-phase and the SU-MIMO BF The feedback sub-phase is simplified. Thereby, compared with the non-reciprocal MIMO phase shown in FIG. 2, the time required for SU-MIMO BF training can be reduced.

Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, two MIMO BF setup frames 602 and 604 are exchanged back and forth in the SU-MIMO BF setup phase. On the other hand, in the modified example 3, as shown in Fig. 16, one MIMO BF setup frame 652 is exchanged one way in the SU-MIMO BF setup phase. Therefore, the SU-MIMO BF setup phase in the third modification can shorten the execution time than the SU-MIMO BF setup phase in the first embodiment.

Fig. 17 shows an example of the digital BF procedure according to Modification Example 3; In Embodiment 1, digital BF is applied to the responder link. In contrast to this, in the third modification, digital BF is applied to the initiator link. In Embodiment 1, after the SU-MIMO BF training (analog BF procedure) shown in Fig. 7 is performed, the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 8A or 8B is performed. In contrast to this, in Modification Example 3, after the analog BF procedure shown in Fig. 16 is performed, the digital BF procedure shown in Fig. 17 is performed.

First, the initiator 102 transmits the CT 702a and the permission frame 702 to the responder 104 . Here, the CT 702a indicates an antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure.

Then, the responder 104 responds to the initiator 102 by transmitting the permission acknowledgment response frame 704 with the CT 704a after successful reception of the permission frame 702 . Here, the CT 704a represents the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure.

The initiator 102 then transmits the CT 706a and the RTS frame 706 to the responder 104 to access the channel and notify the start of the digital BF procedure for the responder link. Here, the CT 706a represents the antenna configuration to be used for the initiator link in the digital BF procedure.

The responder 104 then responds to the initiator 102 by sending a DMG CTS frame 708 along with the CT 708a after successful reception of the RTS frame 706 . Here, the CT 708a is information indicating the antenna configuration to be used for the responder link in the digital BF procedure. Further, the initiator 102 configures an array antenna for the initiator link based on the antenna configuration information in the permission frame 702 .

Then, the initiator 102 transmits the EDMG BRP-TX packet 722 (the fourth BRP packet) shown in Fig. 17 to sound the channel for the initiator link. The EDMG BRP-TX packet 722 is transmitted with an antenna configuration for the initiator link based on the result of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG.

The responder 104 then transmits a MIMO BF feedback frame 724 (fourth MIMO BF feedback frame) containing the SNR, MIMO channel measurement or digital precoding matrix information for the initiator link, so that the initiator ( 102) is answered.

In Embodiment 1, in the analog BF procedure, a BRP frame 612 is transmitted on the initiator link, and in the digital BF procedure, a BRP frame 712 is transmitted on the responder link. In contrast to this, in Modification 3, in the analog BF procedure, a BRP frame 662 is transmitted on the responder link, and in the digital BF procedure, a BRP frame 722 is transmitted on the initiator link. Modification 3 is also similar to embodiment 1, in the analog BF procedure and digital BF procedure, by configuring the BRP frame to be transmitted in the reverse direction, even if I-SMBT or R-SMBT is omitted, the SNR of each link is can be measured

With the procedure described above, the initiator 102 obtains feedback of the SNR for the initiator link using the hybrid BF, and determines an appropriate MCS based on the SNR.

As such, even if the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, the initiator 102 determines the appropriate transmission parameters for the initiator link, e.g., MCS, after the digital BF procedure is executed. can

According to the third modification, in the reciprocal MIMO phase, the responder 104 may omit notifying the initiator 102 of information about the receiving sector, so that the time required for SU-MIMO BF training is reduced. can be reduced

Moreover, the modification 4 which combined the modification 1 and the modification 3 is also conceivable. In variant 4, a TRN field is added to the MIMO BF feedback frame 672 shown in FIG. 16 and transmitted by the initiator 102 using a recommended combination of RX/TX sectors for the initiator link. The recommended RX/TX sector combination for the initiator link is determined based on the recommended TX/RX sector combination for the responder link. (See Fig. 14. However, in Fig. 14, the TRN field 624 is transmitted by the responder 104.)

The responder 104 then transmits a MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback of the SNR for the initiator link. (See Fig. 14. However, in Fig. 14, the initiator 102 is transmitting the MIMO BF feedback frame 626.)

According to variant 4, even if hybrid BF cannot be used, the initiator 102 may determine the appropriate MCS to use by the initiator 102 based on the SNR of the initiator link.

[Embodiment 2]

In Embodiment 2, the downlink MIMO phase (refer to Fig. 10) in MU-MIMO BF is called a non-reciprocal MIMO phase. On the other hand, the uplink MIMO phase (see Fig. 11) is called the Reciprocal MIMO phase because it uses the antenna pattern recipe of the initiator 102.

18 shows an example of the format of a MIMO setup control element 1300 according to the second embodiment. The MIMO setup control element 1300 includes a SU/MU field, a non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field, and an initiator field. The SU/MU field indicates whether SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO BF is applied. The non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates which of the non-reciprocal MIMO phase and the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training or MU-MIMO BF training. The initiator field indicates whether the source of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is the initiator 102 or the responder 104 .

The initiator 102 may transmit the MIMO setup control element 1300 including the MIMO BF setup frames 602 , 902 , 1002 , and 652 . The responder 104 may include the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 604 and transmit it.

In the second embodiment, an initiator field is used in the MIMO setup control element in place of the link type field in the first embodiment.

As described above, the link type field of FIG. 5 indicates whether the configuration information is information related to an initiator link or information related to a responder link. In this regard, the MIMO setup control element 1300 includes information commonly related to initiator links and responder links, information related to initiator links, and information related to responder links. These will be described.

Information commonly related to the initiator link and the responder link includes, for example, information on the SU/MU field, the EDMG group ID field, and the group user mask field. Since the SU/MU field indicates whether SU-MIMO BF and MU-MIMO BF are executed or not, the SU/MU field is information commonly related to the initiator link and the responder link. Further, in the case of MU-MIMO BF, the ID of a communication device participating in MU-MIMO BF is determined by combining the EDMG group ID field and the group user mask field.

When the MIMO setup control element 1300 is transmitted by the initiator 102, the information related to the initiator link includes, for example, information of a MIMO FBCK-REQ field, a transmit power field. The MIMO FBCK-REQ field indicates channel measurement feedback required for the initiator link. The transmit power field indicates the transmit power of the initiator link. Also, when the MIMO setup control element 1300 is transmitted by the responder 104, each field indicates information related to the responder link.

When the MIMO setup control element 1300 is transmitted by the initiator 102, the information related to the responder link includes, for example, the information of the L-TX-RX field, the request EDMG TRN unit M field. The L-TX-RX field and the request EDMG TRN unit M field indicate the number of TRN subfields required for receiving AWV training for the responder link. Also, when the MIMO setup control element 1300 is transmitted by the responder 104, each field indicates information related to the initiator link.

The initiator 102 also provides, in the MIMO setup control element 1300 , an initiator field, indicating whether the MIMO setup control element 1300 is a transmission by the initiator 102 or a transmission by the responder 104 . include According to the value indicated by the initiator field, the responder 104 that has received the MIMO setup control element 1300 has the configuration information (information of each field) of the MIMO setup control element 1300 common to the initiator link and the responder link. It is possible to determine which of the information related to , information related to the initiator link, and information related to the responder link.

The initiator field is also included when the responder 104 transmits the MIMO setup control element 1300 . For this reason, the responder 104 can determine the configuration information (information of each field) of the MIMO setup control element 1300 based on the value indicated by the initiator field.

In Embodiment 2, FIG. 18 shows the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field in the format of the MIMO setup control element 1300. SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. The non-reciprocal MIMO phase of , the reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 7, the non-reciprocal MIMO phase of MU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 10, and the MU-MIMO BF shown in FIG. Indicates which of the reciprocal MIMO phases of training is used.

When executing the non-reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 2, the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 or the MIMO BF setup frame 204 and Both of the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase fields are set to 0 to indicate that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 202 is set to 1 to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 202 is the initiator 102 . The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 204 is set to zero to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 204 is the responder 104 .

When executing the reciprocal MIMO phase of SU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 7 , the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal MIMO field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 602 or the MIMO BF setup frame 604 are The reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field is set to 0 and 1, respectively, to indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 602 is set to 1 to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 602 is the initiator 102 . The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 604 is set to zero to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 604 is the responder 104 .

When the non-reciprocal MIMO phase of the MU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 10 is executed, the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 902 are executed. Both of the phase fields are set to 1 and 0, respectively, to indicate that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to MU-MIMO BF training. The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 902 is set to 1 to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 902 is the initiator 102 .

When the reciprocal MIMO phase of the MU-MIMO BF training shown in FIG. 11 is executed, the SU/MU field and the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 1002 are executed. Both of the phase fields are set to 1 to indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to MU-MIMO BF training. The initiator field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 in the MIMO BF setup frame 1002 is set to 1 to indicate that the source of the MIMO BF setup frame 1002 is the initiator 102 .

<Flowchart>

19 shows a flowchart 1400 for setting the information field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 according to the second embodiment. Flowchart 1400 starts at step 1402 . In step 1404, the initiator 102 determines whether SU-MIMO or MU-MIMO BF training is intended. If SU-MIMO BF training is intended (step 1404: Yes), the process goes to step 1410, and if not (step 1404: No), the process goes to step 1420.

In step 1410, the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is set to 0 to indicate that SU-MIMO BF training is intended.

In step 1412, the initiator 102 evaluates whether both the initiator 102 and the responder 104 have antenna pattern reciprocity. If both initiator 102 and responder 104 have the antenna pattern recipe (step 1412: Yes), the flowchart 1400 proceeds to step 1414, otherwise (step 1412: No), step Proceed to 1416.

In step 1416, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is configured to indicate that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 2) is applied to SU-MIMO BF training. set to 0, and then ends at step 1430.

In step 1414, the initiator 102 determines whether a reciprocal MIMO phase is intended to be applied to SU-MIMO BF training. If it is intended that the reciprocal MIMO phase to be applied to SU-MIMO BF training (step 1414: Yes), the flow proceeds to step 1418; if not (step 1414: No), the flow goes to step 1416.

In step 1418, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is set to 1 to indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 7) is applied to the SU-MIMO BF training. is set, and then ends at step 1430.

In step 1420, the SU/MU field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is set to 1 to indicate that MU-MIMO BF training is intended.

In step 1422, the initiator 102 evaluates whether the initiator 102 has an antenna pattern recipe. If the initiator 102 has the antenna pattern recipe (step 1422: Yes), the flowchart 1400 proceeds to step 1424, and if it does not (step 1422: No), the flowchart 1400 proceeds to step 1426.

In step 1426, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is set to indicate that the non-reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 10) is applied to MU-MIMO BF training. , is set to 0, and then ends at step 1430.

In step 1424, the initiator 102 determines whether a reciprocal MIMO phase is intended to be applied to MU-MIMO BF training. If it is intended that the reciprocal MIMO phase to be applied to MU-MIMO BF training (step 1424: Yes), then the process proceeds to step 1428; otherwise (step 1424: No), the process proceeds to step 1426.

In step 1428, the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 is set to indicate that the reciprocal MIMO phase (see FIG. 11) is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, 1, and then ends at step 1430.

20 shows a flowchart 1500 for interpreting the information field of the MIMO setup control element 1300 according to the second embodiment. The flowchart 1500 starts at step 1502 . In step 1504, the responder 104 receiving the MIMO setup control element 1300 checks whether the SU/MU field is set to zero. When the SU/MU field is set to 0 (step 1504: Yes), the process proceeds to step 1510, and when not set (step 1504: No), the process advances to step 1520.

In step 1510 , the responder 104 checks whether the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the received MIMO setup control element 1300 is one. If the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field is set to 1 (step 1510: Yes), the process goes to step 1514. If it is not set (step 1510: No), the process goes to step 1512.

At step 1514, the responder 104 determines that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1530. At step 1512 , the responder 104 determines that a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1530 .

In step 1520 , the responder 104 checks whether the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field of the received MIMO setup control element 1300 is one. If the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field is set to 1 (step 1520: Yes), the flow proceeds to step 1524. If not set (step 1520: No), the flow advances to step 1522.

At step 1524, the responder 104 determines that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to MU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1530. At step 1522, the responder 104 determines that a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied for MU-MIMO BF training, and ends at step 1530.

According to the second embodiment, one signaling bit in the MIMO setup control element can be saved as compared to the first embodiment.

The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiment is partially or wholly realized as an LSI that is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiment is partially or entirely controlled by one LSI or a combination of LSIs. good night. The LSI may be configured as an individual chip, or may be configured as a single chip so as to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. LSI is also called IC, system LSI, super LSI, and ultra LSI due to the difference in integration degree. The method of forming an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. In addition, after the LSI is manufactured, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure connection and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing. In addition, if an integrated circuit technology that is substituted for LSI appears due to advances in semiconductor technology or a separate technology derived from it, of course, functional blocks may be integrated using the technology. The application of biotechnology may be a possibility.

In addition, the communication system (initiator device, responder device) of the present disclosure includes vehicle-to-vehicle communication, road-to-vehicle communication, vehicle-to-store communication, communication between trains and station platforms, and airplane It can be used for communication between Boarding Bridges (passenger steps).

The initiator device of the present disclosure is an initiator device that supports a single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation, and which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is SU-MIMO BF (Beam Forming) ) a generating circuit for generating a first signal including a value indicating whether or not training is applied, and a transmitting circuit for transmitting the first signal to a responder device.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, when both the initiator device and the responder device have antenna pattern reciprocity, the first signal is that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to the SU-MIMO BF training It contains a value indicating that it is

In the initiator apparatus of the present disclosure, the first signal is a MIMO BF setup frame.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, it includes a receiving circuit and a control circuit, wherein when the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to the SU-MIMO BF training, the transmitting circuit is configured to select a transmission sector to be used by the initiator for MIMO transmission. transmits a first Beam Refinement Protocol (BRP) signal for training to the responder device, and the receiving circuit sends a first MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information on the first BRP signal to the responder Upon receiving from the device, the control circuit determines, based on the feedback information for the first BRP signal, a combination of transmit sectors and a combination of receive sectors to be used by the initiator device for MIMO transmission.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, in the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training, the receiving circuit is configured to train a combination of transmission sectors to be used by the responder device for MIMO transmission. A second BRP signal is received from the responder device, and the transmitting circuit transmits a second MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the second BRP signal to the responder device.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, the receiving circuit is configured to receive, from the responder device, a TRN signal added to the first MIMO BF feedback signal for training a combination of transmission sectors to be used by the responder device for MIMO transmission. receiving, the transmitting circuit transmits a third MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the TRN signal to the responder device.

In the initiator apparatus of the present disclosure, the first signal includes information indicating the transmission power of the combination of the transmission sectors.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, when the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to the SU-MIMO BF training, the receiving circuit is configured to: train a third transmission sector combination for the responder device to use for MIMO transmission. receiving a BRP signal from the responder device, and the transmitting circuit transmits a third MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the third BRP signal to the responder device, the control circuit comprising: Based on the third BRP signal, the initiator device determines a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector to be used for MIMO transmission.

In the initiator device of the present disclosure, in the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training, the receiving circuit includes: the responder device sounding a channel for a responder link receiving the BRP signal from the responder device, and the transmitting circuit transmits a fourth MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the fourth BRP signal to the responder device.

The responder apparatus of the present disclosure is a responder apparatus that supports SU (Single User)-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) operation, and which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is SU-MIMO BF ( Beam Forming) a receiving circuit for receiving a first signal from an initiator device including a value indicating whether the training is applied, and based on the value, which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is SU-MIMO and processing circuitry for determining whether to apply to Beam Forming (BF) training.

In the responder apparatus of the present disclosure, the first signal is a MIMO BF setup signal.

In a responder device of the present disclosure, comprising: a transmitting circuit and a control circuit, wherein when the processing circuit determines that a reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, the receiving circuit is configured to: A first Beam Refinement Protocol (BRP) signal for training a combination of transmission sectors to be used for MIMO transmission is received from the initiator device, and the transmission circuit includes feedback information for the first BRP signal. transmit a MIMO BF feedback signal to the initiator device, and the control circuit determines, based on the first BRP signal, a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector to be used by the responder device for MIMO transmission.

In the responder apparatus of the present disclosure, in the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training, the transmitting circuit is configured to train a combination of transmission sectors to be used by the responder apparatus for MIMO transmission. transmits a second BRP signal to the initiator device for , determines a modulation and coding scheme of MIMO transmission by the responder device based on the feedback information for the second BRP signal.

In the responder device of the present disclosure, the transmitting circuit is configured to send a TRN signal added to the first MIMO BF feedback signal for training a combination of transmission sectors to be used by the responder device for MIMO transmission to the initiator device. and the receiving circuit receives, from the responder device, a third MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the TRN signal, and the control circuit, based on the feedback information on the TRN signal, Determines the modulation and coding scheme of the MIMO transmission by the responder device.

In the responder apparatus of the present disclosure, the first signal includes information indicating a transmission power of a combination of the transmission sectors, and the control circuit is configured to: Based on the information indicating the transmission power, the responder apparatus Determines the modulation and coding method of MIMO transmission by

In the responder apparatus of the present disclosure, when the processing circuit determines that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training, the transmitting circuit is configured to: transmits a third BRP signal to the initiator device for training The control circuit determines a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector to be used by the responder device for MIMO transmission, based on the feedback information for the third BRP signal.

In the responder apparatus of the present disclosure, in the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training, the transmitting circuit comprises: the responder apparatus sounding a channel for a responder link transmits a BRP signal of 4 to the initiator device, and the receiving circuit receives a fourth MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the fourth BRP signal from the initiator device, and the control circuit includes: Based on the feedback information for the fourth BRP signal, a modulation and coding scheme of the MIMO transmission by the responder device is determined.

The system of the present disclosure includes an initiator device and a responder device supporting a single user (SU)-multiple input multiple output (MIMO) operation, wherein the initiator device includes a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase A generating circuit for generating a first signal including a value indicating which of SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) is applied to training, and a transmitting circuit for transmitting the first signal to a responder device, wherein the response The apparatus is further configured to include: a receiving circuit receiving the first signal from an initiator apparatus; and determining, based on the value, which of a reciprocal MIMO phase and a non-reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training A processing circuit is provided.

This patent application is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/575 and 264, filed on October 20, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/628, 199, filed on February 8, 2018, and September 14, 2018 Priority is claimed on the basis of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-172815 filed on All contents of 172815 are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure is useful for a multiuser wireless communication system.

800 STA
810 transmission signal generation circuit
812 message generation circuit
820 transceiver
822 PHY processing circuit
824 antenna
830 Receive Signal Processing Circuit
832 message processing circuit
840 control circuit
842 BF control circuit

Claims (13)

It is a responder device that supports SU (Single User)-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) operation,
A MIMO BF setup frame including a non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicating whether any one of a non-reciprocal MIMO phase and a reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training from the initiator device receiving, and when the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied, a plurality of first for training a transmission sector used by the initiator device for MIMO transmission receiving circuitry to receive a beam refinement protocol (BRP) signal of
A transmitting circuit for transmitting a first MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the plurality of first BRP signals to the initiator device
A responder device comprising a. The method of claim 1,
and a control circuit for determining a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector used by the responder device for MIMO transmission, based on the plurality of first BRP signals.
responder device. The method of claim 1,
In the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training,
the transmitting circuit transmits, to the initiator device, a plurality of second BRP signals for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission;
The receiving circuit receives, from the initiator device, a second MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the plurality of second BRP signals.
responder device. 3. The method of claim 2,
The transmitting circuit transmits, to the initiator device, a TRN (Training) signal added to the first MIMO BF feedback frame for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission;
The receiving circuit receives a third MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the TRN signal from the responder device,
The control circuit is configured to determine a modulation and coding scheme of MIMO transmission by the responder device based on feedback information for the TRN signal.
responder device. 3. The method of claim 2,
When the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training,
the transmitting circuit transmits to the initiator device a plurality of third BRP signals for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission;
The receiving circuit receives a third MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the plurality of third BRP signals from the responder device,
The control circuit is configured to determine a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector used by the responder device for MIMO transmission, based on feedback information for the plurality of third BRP signals.
responder device. 6. The method of claim 5,
In the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training,
the transmitting circuit is configured to send, by the responder device, a plurality of fourth BRP signals sounding a channel for a responder link to the initiator device;
The receiving circuit receives a fourth MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the fourth BRP signal from the initiator device,
The control circuit is configured to determine a modulation and coding scheme of MIMO transmission by the responder device based on feedback information for the plurality of fourth BRP signals.
responder device. It is a communication method for a responder device that supports SU (Single User)-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) operation,
A MIMO BF setup frame including a non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicating whether any one of a non-reciprocal MIMO phase and a reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training from the initiator device receive,
When the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied, a plurality of first beam refinements for training a transmission sector used by the initiator device for MIMO transmission receive a protocol (BRP) signal;
Transmitting a first MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the plurality of first BRP signals to the initiator device
communication method. 8. The method of claim 7,
determining a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector used by the responder device for MIMO transmission, based on the plurality of first BRP signals;
communication method. 8. The method of claim 7,
In the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training,
transmit a plurality of second BRP signals to the initiator device for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission;
Receiving a second MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the plurality of second BRP signals from the initiator device
communication method. 9. The method of claim 8,
transmit a TRN (Training) signal added to the first MIMO BF feedback frame for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission to the initiator device;
receiving a third MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the TRN signal from the responder device;
Determining a modulation and coding scheme of MIMO transmission by the responder device based on feedback information on the TRN signal
communication method. 9. The method of claim 8,
When the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF training,
sending a plurality of third BRP signals to the initiator device for training a combination of transmission sectors used by the responder device for MIMO transmission;
receiving a third MIMO BF feedback signal including feedback information for the plurality of third BRP signals from the responder device;
determining a combination of a transmission sector and a combination of a reception sector used by the responder device for MIMO transmission, based on feedback information for the plurality of third BRP signals
communication method. 12. The method of claim 11,
In the digital BF procedure of the hybrid BF operation performed after the SU-MIMO BF training,
the responder device sends a plurality of fourth BRP signals sounding a channel for a responder link to the initiator device;
receiving a fourth MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the fourth BRP signal from the initiator device;
Determining a modulation and coding scheme of MIMO transmission by the responder device based on feedback information on the plurality of fourth BRP signals
communication method. It is an integrated circuit for a responder device that supports SU (Single User)-MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) operation,
A MIMO BF setup frame including a non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicating whether any one of a non-reciprocal MIMO phase and a reciprocal MIMO phase is applied to SU-MIMO BF (BeamForming) training from the initiator device receiving processing;
When the non-reciprocal/reciprocal MIMO phase field indicates that the reciprocal MIMO phase is applied, a plurality of first beam refinements for training a transmission sector used by the initiator device for MIMO transmission processing to receive a protocol (BRP) signal;
Process of transmitting a first MIMO BF feedback frame including feedback information for the plurality of first BRP signals to the initiator device
integrated circuit that controls the

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